Coventry Scouts have reported record growth over the past year - with 37 new youth sign-ups and almost 100 adult volunteers.

The surge in interest comes following an appeal for more adult volunteers in 2017 and now, to encourage this trend into 2018 and beyond, The Scout Association has released its own research into the mental wellbeing of those who volunteer.

It revealed 70 per cent of volunteers said it had improved life satisfaction, while 42 per cent said volunteering had reduced feelings of loneliness.

Andrew Morris, lead volunteer and county commissioner for Coventry , said: “It is great to see such strong growth for Scouting in the city, both in youth members and volunteers is a huge achievement.

Almost 40 youngsters signed up for City of Coventry Scouts over the past year

“Much of this is down to our amazing volunteers. As one of the city’s leading youth charities, we’re acutely aware of the importance of all the volunteers in Coventry who give up their time every single day to help others.

Benefits to work

“With the majority of volunteers saying they feel more motivated, confident and more skilled as a result of the work they do with us, it’s not just those they’re helping who benefit.”

Nearly two in three volunteers said they found it difficult to balance volunteering and work commitments, while nearly one in three full-time workers said they are not comfortable asking their employer for more flexibility to support their volunteering hours.

Need for conversation

Andrew added: “The fact that a third of full-time workers are not comfortable asking for more flexibility and understanding from their employer to enable them to volunteer is concerning and shows that we need a national conversation on the ways businesses , big and small, can better develop policies that support flexible working practices for those who volunteer outside of work.

City of Coventry Scouts report strong growth in interest

“With known benefits to workers productivity, confidence and the extra skills they are gaining - being more flexible clearly benefits employers as well as their staff.”

Jay Thompson, 25, is an Explorer Scout Leader and mental health nurse. She said: “I started volunteering with Scouting a few years back, and it is one of the best decisions I ever made.

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“More than anything I love seeing how the Explorer Scouts I work with have developed over the time I have been with them, as have I.

“The best part about volunteering for me is seeing the pride and sense of achievement on their faces when they reach a new goal – whether that is making it to the top of the climbing wall, or building a website for the first time.”